These accessions were introduced into China after 2019 and grown in both southern and northern regions. Cheng and his team then conducted detailed trait analysis and built a high-resolution genetic variation map, which led to the identification of the previously unknown genetic variants.

"Mendel discovered what we now call the laws of inheritance without knowing what a gene was," said Cheng. "Today, using modern tools, we can see the exact genes — and the precise mutations — that he unknowingly tracked."

Researchers also analyzed more than 70 additional agronomic traits and linked them to thousands of genetic markers.

The resulting genomic resources could help breeders use AI-powered predictive models to accelerate the development of improved pea varieties and introduce useful genetic traits from wild and traditional strains, Cheng said.